Test II: Pathological Discolorations

Question 1

Antemortem discolorations which occur during the course of certain diseases

Answer 1

Pathological discolorations

Question 2

1. Gangrene
2. Jaundice
3. Addison’s Disease
4. Leukemia
5. Peritonitis
6. Lupus Vulgaris
7. Menigococcal Meningitis
8. Tumors
9. Chronic Renal Failure

Answer 2

Diseases that cause pathological discolorations

Question 3

Necrosis of tissue cells that undergo bacterial decomposition

Answer 3

Gangrene

Question 4

• Caused by venous congestion where the affected part becomes moist, dark, and putrid and has the odor of rotting flesh
• This type of gangrene spreads rapidly

Answer 4

Wet gangrene

Question 5

• Caused by the interference of the arterial supply of the blood
• Can result in a bluish black discoloration with little odor as the bacterial activity is limited by dryness of the tissues

Answer 5

Dry gangrene

Question 6

-The most common form of dry gangrene and is frequently seen in the extremities of the body

Answer 6

Senile gangrene

Question 7

• If odor is present: use spray disinfectant
• Undamaged or unaffected tissue: requires regular strength injection and regular venous drainage procedures
• Injection of high index arterial fluid or injectable cavity fluid directly in the affected area through multipoint injection or hypodermic injection
• Cavity pack or topical preservative jelly should be applied to entire area
• Protective garments containing preservative powder or hardening comound

Answer 7

Treatment of gangrenous cases

Question 8

To preserve, prevent leakage, and the escape of odor

Answer 8

Primary treatment purpose

Question 9

• Results in a yellowish discoloration of the body
• First detected in the sclera of the eye
• Yellow stain is due to the presence of bilirubin pigmentations which adversely colors the bile

Answer 9

Jaundice

Question 10

-These adversely affect bilirubin and converts the yellow discoloration to green, changing biliruin to biliverdin

Answer 10

Strong formaldehyde arterial solutions

Question 11

In the embalming of all jaundice bodies this takes precedence over clearing of the discoloration

Answer 11

Preservation

Question 12

• Jaundice chemicals: low index
• Injection: restricted cervical method
• Injection: minimum of 2 drainage sites
• Pack applications: bleaching chemicals
• Opaque cosmetics
• Casket lamp: to counter act the discoloration of the body

Answer 12

Ways to treat jaundice cases

Question 13

If preservation demand in jaundice case is high use….

Answer 13

• Restricted cervical method
• Strong solution for torso (especially with edema)
• Mild solution for head and hands

Question 14

If preservation demand in jaundice case is low use…

Answer 14

• Femoral artery as injection site

- 2 drainage sites: right internal jugular and right femoral vein

Question 15

This is common in jaundice cases

Answer 15

Edema and good drainage

Question 16

A bronze discoloration resulting from loss of function of the adrenal glands

Answer 16

Addison’s disease

Question 17

• Same as jaundice
• Low index or specialized arterial fluid
• Danger: high index may cause surface tissue to turn dark*

Answer 17

Treatment of Addison’s disease

Question 18

-A chronic or acute disease of unknown etiology characterized by unrestrained growth of leukocytes

Answer 18

Leukemia

Question 19

-Start with right common carotid artery and right internal jugular vein followed y multiple injection and drainage sites where necessary to solve injection and drainage problems

Answer 19

Treatment of Leukemia cases

Question 20

• Inflammation of the peritoneum due to the invasion of infectious organisms
• A bright red color is characteristic of the infected peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity

Answer 20

Peritonitis

Question 21

• Hypostasis to hemolysis will occur rapidly because the blood in its antemortem state was unable to coagulate because of bacterial invasion
• The blood will have an odor and will be dark in color

Answer 21

Embalming problems of peritonitis

Question 22

• Restricted cervical method
• Multipoint injection and drainage sites
• Immediate aspiration and injection of undiluted cavity fluid (at least 2 bottles; 32%; after arterial injection
• Reaspiration and injection of additional undiluted cavity fluid prior to dressing and casketing
• Hypodermic injection of strong solutions to areas not receiving arterial solution
• Opaque cosmetic to cover and surface discoloration

Answer 22

Treatment of peritonitis cases

Question 23

• Avoid preinjection and use strong solutions and coinjections instead
• Reaspirate adding fresh cavity fluid each time

Answer 23

Chemistry of peritonitis cases

Question 24

• Tuberculosis of the skin characterized by patches which break down and ulcerate, leaving scars
• In some cases, a red butterfly rash may appear across the nose and cheeks
• ulcers may be contagious to the embalmer*

Answer 24

Lupus vulgaris

Question 25

- Routine arterial injection will have little affect on ulcers - Pack application undiluted cavity fluid - Topical jelly; phenol based - Hypodermic injection of arterial fluid directly into problem areas

Answer 25

Treatment of lupus vulgaris cases

Question 26

- An infectious and contagious disease which causes and inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and/or the brain * a clear danger to the embalmer who should follow proper procedures for contagious and infectious diseases* - Pathological discoloration may be in the form of a rash

Answer 26

Meningococcal meningitis

Question 27

Opaque cosmetics

Answer 27

Treatment of meningococcal meningitis cases

Question 28

- Pathological discoloration will vary in both benign as well as in malignant tumors - Odors may also be a problem because the tumor may be necrotic

Answer 28

Tumors

Question 29

- The tumor will seldom be preserved by arterial injection - It must be excised completely and the area preserved with topical jelly, cavity pack, and/or treated hypodermically - Restorative art will also be required

Answer 29

Treatment of tumors

Question 30

- A sallow yellow color to the skin resulting from the presence of urochrome in the tissues - Often accompanies diabetes mellitus, which adversely affects distribution and diffusion of arterial fluid solution

Answer 30

Chronic renal failure

Question 31

Poor peripheral circulation leading to gangrene of the lower limbs and the conversion of urea in the blood stream to ammonia that neutralizes formaldehyde

Answer 31

Major problems to the embalmer in cases with chronic renal failure

Question 32

- Avoid preinjection completely - Use strong solutions with coinjection of drainage chemicals - Multiple injection and drainage sites will be necessary - Hypodermic injection of areas that did not receive arterial fluid solution - Use active dye to offset the sallow yellow color (coinject dye with solution)

Answer 32

Treatment of cases with chronic renal failure